Union Transfer


Union Transfer is a music venue in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The venue opened as a joint venture between The Bowery Presents and R5 Productions. Union Transfer first opened to the public on September 21, 2011.
The building originally opened in 1889 as the Spring Garden Farmer's Market and has seen various incarnations over the years. Located at 1026 Spring Garden Street, Union Transfer lies within the Callowhill neighborhood, which borders Poplar, Chinatown and North Broad Street. The building was originally the Spring Garden Farmers Market from 1889 to 1918 and currently retains the signage that's carved into the building. From 1918 to 1942 the building was changed to the Union Transfer Baggage Express Co., where bags and other items were kept in storage for the railway company. Facing several more transformations over the next 50 years including a tire shop, trust company, and a Spaghetti Warehouse, Union Transfer became a music venue in 2011.
A variety of shows are hosted at Union Transfer, primarily of the Indie Rock genre, as well as Folk, Electronic Dance Music, Hip Hop and Punk. In the past the Union Transfer has hosted bands such as Mischief Brew, M83, Diplo, Frank Ocean, The Murder City Devils, Cold War Kids, Jim James, Dinosaur Jr, The Tallest Man on Earth, Best Coast, and Cock Sparrer. Union Transfer sources several Philadelphia-based businesses like Yards Brewing Company.